Every autumn in Kashmir, as walnut season approaches, we witnesses a grim repetition of tragedies. The death of a man from Tral, who succumbed at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar after falling from a walnut tree on September 16, is not an isolated case but part of an annual pattern of preventable fatalities which tear apart families who lose their sons and fathers. Yet, once the mourning ends, another such incident happens in another part of Kashmir with startling regularity. Walnut trees grow tall and rugged, often reaching heights of 50 to 80 feet. Traditionally, harvesting is done by climbing these towering trees and violently shaking the branches so that the nuts fall to the ground. In this, the danger is obvious. One wrong move, a snapped branch or a misstep can prove to be fatal. According to local media reports, dozens of people are injured and nearly 10–15 lose their lives every year during walnut harvesting. It would be a disservice to classify theek as natural deaths when they are occupational hazards and the cost of clinging to an outdated, unsafe method of livelihood. What makes these deaths all the more tragic is that they are entirely preventable. Across the world, agricultural practices have been modernized with the introduction of mechanized harvesters, hydraulic lifters, and safety harness systems. In countries like the United States, Spain, and Turkey—major walnut producers—mechanical tree shakers and nets spread beneath the trees ensure safe, efficient harvesting. In contrast, Kashmir, despite being the country’s largest walnut producer with over 2.66 lakh metric tonnes annually (NHB data 2023-24), still relies on crude, perilous techniques handed down generations. Why have we failed to adapt? The reasons are multiple. First, the lack of government intervention, absence of research and innovation in farm mechanization specific to our terrain, and poor dissemination of safety protocols among rural communities are some of the leading causes. A farmer in Tral or Kupwara cannot afford costly imported machinery. Nor has the government invested in designing affordable, locally adaptable solutions. Even simple measures like subsidized safety harnesses, bamboo scaffolding, or community-owned mechanical shakers could save lives. But these have not been prioritized. There is also a cultural dimension. Walnut harvesting is deeply ingrained in rural tradition, where speed and physical strength are prized. The government should instead launch awareness campaigns highlighting the risks, coupled with training programs in safe techniques. Just as helmets and seatbelts were normalized over time, so too must protective gear and safer harvesting practices become non-negotiable. The tragedy in Tral is another wake-up call. Walnut harvesting deaths are not accidents. They are policy failures, technological stagnation and societal neglect rolled into one. Is anyone listening?